What is Harvard referencing?
Harvard is the most commonly used citation format. It is also known as the author-date system. It consists of in-text citations and a reference list. In-text citations remain intact in the work and help in identifying the source, while the reference list contributes to providing information about all cited sources at the end of the document.
What are CIPD assignments, and how does Harvard referencing help them?
A CIPD assignment is a task that a student pursuing Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications should complete, which involves written case studies and reflective writings. These assignments are designed to examine the students’ knowledge about Human Resources (HR) and related fields.
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Harvard referencing helps students avoid the risk of plagiarism, giving credit to the work of others and providing a better future for research purposes.
How will this guide help students?
This guide will help students understand the significance of Harvard referencing in CIPD assignments. It has also discussed the types of tools and techniques that can make the referencing process easy.
Importance of Harvard referencing in CIPD assignments
1. Avoids the plagiarism risks:
Harvard referencing makes the ideas of students different from others, reducing the risk of plagiarism. By identifying the sources of the information, students can give original credit to the original authors and avoid ethical and academic misconduct.
2. Enhanced Credibility:
Assignments that are well-referenced show that students have engaged well with existing literature and research in the field of HR. It shows that students have a solid understanding of the matter and can support their arguments with evidence.
3. Professionalism:
In the field of HR, paying close attention to small details and accuracy is crucial. Proper referencing is a major component of professional assignments.
4. Supporting additional research:
- A well-structured reference list allows readers to easily identify the resources that students have used for further research.
- It enables them to go into the depths of the topics discussed in the student’s assignments.
5. Supporting Your Arguments:
- Referencing helps students in collecting better evidence for their arguments by taking the help of data from reliable sources.
- It makes the work more trustworthy and helpful.
Understanding the basics of Harvard referencing
१. Author-date system
According to Harvard referencing, sources must be mentioned within the text along with the name of the author and the year of publication.
२. In-text citation
These appear in the text of the body, which includes the name of the author, the year it was published, and the page number in some special cases.
३. Reference list
A detailed list of all sources cited in assignments of students presented at the end in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
४. Consistency
For both in-text citations and the reference list, use the proper formats.
५. Accurate sources
Always ensure the accuracy of the in-text citations and reference list, as it is considered important.
Examples of in-text citations and reference lists in Harvard referencing
1. In-text citations: (Prior, 2020, 74%), (Ashbourn, 2014)
2. Reference lists: Prior, H. (2020). Away with the penguins.
Ashbourn, J. (2014). Biometrics in the new world: the cloud, mobile technology, and pervasive identity. 2nd edn. London: Springer.
How to format the referencing list?
To format a reference list,
- Start with a new page having the title “References” at the top.
- Write the entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
- Each reference entry includes the author(s), year of publication, title, and information source.
- Don’t include any sources that are out of context.
Tools and techniques used for Harvard referencing
Referencing Tools: Students writing CIPD assignments can use some tools for Harvard referencing purposes in their assignments.
- Zotero
- Mendeley
- EndNote, and
- Microsoft Word’s built-in referencing feature
Referencing guide: always check the CIPD learning provider’s referencing guide, which follows the Pearson/Anglia Ruskin Harvard style.
Common mistakes to avoid while using Harvard referencing
1. Incorrect or incomplete citations
While referencing, sometimes students use incorrect or incomplete citations, like
- Missing the name of the author
- Following the wrong format
- Overciting the same source in every single sentence
- Forgetting to cite the source while paraphrasing
2. Confusing Reference List Formatting
Occasionally, students mix up the formatting; for example, the text may be bolded in some places and italicised in others, indicating a lack of organisation. It also includes:
- Avoid using hanging indents.
- Incorrect sequence of components
3. Incorrect Referencing of CIPD Sources
- Avoid writing the full information of CIPD reports: authorised body (CIPD), year, title, URL, and date accessed.
- Misinterpreting CIPD as an individual author (e.g., “John CIPD” instead of just “CIPD”).
4. Mistaking the Type of Source
- Citing a website in the form of a book or vice versa.
- Interpreting blog posts or internal company documents as academic journal articles.
5. Using ‘et al.’ incorrectly
- Using “et al.” with only two authors.
- Repetitive Formatting errors like “et al.” or missing the period (“et al.”).
6. Missing References in the Reference List
- Including in-text citations that are not listed in the reference list.
- Forgetting to update the sources when copying from a sample assignment or another student.
7. Improper Use of Secondary References
Mentioning a source that is already quoted in another source without giving credit to the secondary reference.
For example, using Maslow as an example, even though you have only read about him in a CIPD report:
- Correct: (Maslow, 1943, cited in CIPD, 2023)
- Incorrect: (Maslow, 1943)
8. Old or Unreliable Sources
- Using sources that are too old and almost irrelevant.
- Mentioning Wikipedia or private blogs as key sources.
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Some CIPD-based referencing tips
- Students should choose a proper formatting style in CIPD assignments.
- Remember to follow Harvard referencing by including a reference list and citing sources within the text.
- Information used should be credible.
- Always summarise and paraphrase the information rather than just copying it.
- Prioritise using the primary resources like reports and articles.
- Proofread the assignment and look for all possible grammatical errors.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Understanding and applying referencing correctly is one of the most important skills for every student who is pursuing CIPD qualifications. It helps students in writing professional assignments with proper formatting, along with respecting the other authors who have previously written about their research. By demonstrating excellent referencing skills, assignments become more credible and helpful in the future.
For students, writing a CIPD assignment is one of the most difficult assignments. However, if students are given proper guidance in assignment help, then it can become easier. You can approach at any time.
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